36 Elements in the Philosophy of Kashmir Shaivisim
Collage on paper H 35 x 25 inch, with or without a blue metal frame, ready to hang.
This collage represents the 36 elements according to the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism, which I have been studying for some time. I find it fascinating how the world is made of those elements from the lowest (earth element) to the highest, which is I-ness (Being). You can read more about it in Swami Lakshmanjoo’s book “Kashmir Shaivism – The Secret Supreme” from the Lakshmanjoo Academy website. Here is an excerpt from the book…
“To begin with, I will explain to you the nature of that which is known as the tattvas, or elements. In Vedānta we are told that there are only twenty-five tattvas; however, in Śhaivism we know that there are really thirty-six tattvas.
These thirty six tattvas are the most important points for entering into Śhaivism. ~Swami Lakshmanjoo
I will give the explanation of the tattvas in the manner of rising not descending. We must rise up to Paramashiva. I prefer rising, not descending, so we must rise. I will, therefore, explain the grossest element ‘earth’ first and then proceed to explain subtler and subtler elements, until we reach the subtlest element, the finest, which is Paramashiva.” [end of quote]
Beginning from the bottom left are the five great elements of earth[1], water[2], fire[3], air[4] and ether[5].
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- earth
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- water
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- fire
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- air
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- ether
In the next row above them are the corresponding five subtle elements of smell[6], taste[7], form[8], touch[9] and sound[10].
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- smell
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- taste
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- form
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- touch
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- sound
On the left side are the Five Organs of Action: creative[11], excretion[12], foot[13] (locomotion), hands[14] and speech[15].
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- creative
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- excretion
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- foot (locomotion)
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- hand
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- speech
On the right side are the corresponding Five Organs of Cognition: nose[16] – organ of smelling, tongue[17] – organ of tasting, eye[18] – organ of seeing, skin[19] – organ of sensation, ear[20] – organ of hearing.
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- nose
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- toungue
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- eye
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- skin
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- eary
The five triangles on the top represent the three Internal Organs of mind[21], ego[22] and intellect[23], along with the elements of prakriti[24] (nature) and purusha[25] (the limited soul).
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- mind
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- ego
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- intellect
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- prakriti
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- purusha
Next are the Six Coverings (limitations) represented by triangles pointing towards the center. They are limitations of place[26], time[27], attachment[28], knowledge[29], creativity[30] and individuality[31].
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- limited place
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- limited time (age)
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- limited attachment
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- limited knowledge
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- limited creativity
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- limited individual
The three squares in the middle of the collage are the Pure Elements called śuddhavidya[32] I-ness in I-ness — Thisness in Thisness; īśvara[33] Thisness in I-ness; and sadashiva[34] I-ness in Thisness.
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- śuddhavidya
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- īśhvara
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- sadashiva
Last but not least are the two interwoven triangles of Shakti[35] I-ness; and Shiva[36] I-ness (Being) (also understood as Energy and the Energy holder).
shiva & shakti
You can download a PDF of the elements from the Lakshmanjoo Academy here…Tattvas chart for 36 elements
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How is niyati is pure impure? Could not understand much about the role of niyati. Can you pls explain
Niyati (limitation of place) is one of the five kañcukas, or coverings: niyati (limitation of place), kāla (limitation of time), rāga (limitation of attachment), vidya (limitation of knowledge, and kalā (limitation of action) respectively.